7 Practical Ways To Move Towards Your Destiny

Written by Harold Herring. .

If you feel like you’ve been caught in your comfort zone. . .if it feels like your spinning your wheels but moving no closer to your goals. . .then this teaching will give you practical insight on how to move from where you are. . .toward your destiny.

You should always start where you are. . .with what you’ve got. . .at the moment.

First, you must know that you have the God-given ability to perform at a level you never previously thought possible.

Romans 12:6 in The Living Bible says:

“God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well….”

This empowerment is a gift from the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 1:14 in The Living Bible says:

“Guard well the splendid, God-given ability you received as a gift from the Holy Spirit who lives within you.”

Second, according to Matthew 25:14 each of the three servants were given talents “according to their several ability.”

What you have at the moment is what you can handle. . .but I believe, and more importantly, God knows you can handle more with a little more understanding.

Remember, start with what you have. . .where you are. . .and make the best of it.

Third, you may not have the educational or vocational training required for the next position or job you desire. However, don’t complain about what you don’t have, use what you do have.

Create a plan to get from where you are to where you want to be.

If you’re in sales and you have been transferred to a region or location (i.e., store) where the sales potential seems limited. . .then make the very best of that situation.

Let me share with you the story of two shoe salesman sent to Africa to open up a new territory.

“The first shoe salesman boarded the plane and headed into his new territory unsure what to expect, but hopeful that this venture would be a success. His plane safely arrived in Africa and the shoe salesman immediately began his assessment of his new wide open market. It was less than an hour of the shoe salesman’s arrival to Africa when he quickly phoned back to his headquarters and requested the first flight out and back to the states, explaining to his boss “I can’t sell shoes here! Nobody wears them, everyone is barefoot!”

The second shoe salesman hopped on the plane anxious to see what awaited him in Africa. He expected a challenge but was optimistic about this new opportunity.

After a safe landing the shoe salesman grabbed his bags and quickly became thrilled at what he observed. The shoe salesman quickly dialed up his headquarters and demanded to speak to his boss, he said “I can’t believe what I’m seeing, send me an assortment of ten thousand pairs of shoes immediately! Everyone is barefoot over here!”

Our perception determines our reality.

In sales, it’s important to understand that not every customer will buy. . .so create a follow-up system that allows you to thank people for stopping by. . .let them know you’re ready to answer any questions they might have. . .and you will stand ready to get them the best deal possible.

One final point as you begin making progress on your journey. . .you will soon discover that you can achieve much more than you first thought yourself capable of achieving.

2 Corinthians 8:3-4 in the New International Version says:

“For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.”

Once you start using what you’ve got. . .where you are. . .you will discover an amazing fact. You’re able to do and accomplish more than you ever thought possible.

I want you to write down this next statement. . .word for word.

“Once I start using what I’ve got. . .where I’m at. . .I will discover an amazing fact. I’m able to do and accomplish more than I ever thought possible.”

#2 What Are You Doing When The Boss Isn’t Looking.

Two of the three servants in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25 did whatever was necessary to earn interest and double the talents they were given.

The third servant buried his talent. . .and probably went fishing every day until his boss returned. He was not working. . .or doing anything to prove himself an effective steward of the talents or abilities he was given.

How many employees go to work every day and do the absolute minimum . . . just enough to keep them from getting fired?

Yet, they wonder why they never receive promotions. . .and then attribute their lack of advancement to the prejudice of their supervisor or boss.

It’s always somebody else’s fault. . .not their own. Yet, the reality is. . .their failure to be promoted is simply because of what they didn’t do when the boss wasn’t looking.

Here’s a powerful scriptural truth for the work place, marketplace and every place you live.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 in God’s News Translation says:

“God is going to judge everything we do, whether good or bad, even things done in secret.”

If you’ve agreed to work for a company and purposely don’t give them your best efforts. . .you are planning evil.

Psalm 64:5-6 in The Living Bible says:

“They encourage each other to do evil. They meet in secret to set their traps. "He will never notice them here," they say. They keep a sharp lookout for opportunities of crime. They spend long hours with all their endless evil thoughts and plans.”

One other thought. . .as a spouse. . .it’s important what you do while you’re away from your wife/husband. I’m not talking about the obvious sins of adultery or other illicit behavior.

I’m talking about doing little things that bless your spouse.

For instance, my fine wife Bev likes to have the bed made every day. My mindset (used to be) why bother. . .we’re just going to sleep in it again tonight.

Over the years, I’ve learned that a made bed is a sign of order to my wife. . .so even when she’s out of town. . .I make the bed every morning. It’s a way of my honoring her.

Proverbs 27:18 in the Message Bible says:

“If you care for your orchard, you'll enjoy its fruit; if you honor your boss, you'll be honored.”

And yes, when she comes home from a trip. . .things are well in the kingdom because the desires of the Queen have been honored and that makes the King one happy dude.

One last question. . .why do you think the Master in Matthew 25 gave the three servants talents and then left? It was a test. . .he wanted to see what they would do if he wasn’t around.

How do you perform on the job. . .when your boss or supervisor is not around to see what you do?

#3 Maximizing Opportunities . . .Is A Decision.

The first two servants in Matthew 25 DECIDED to maximize the opportunities they were given. Whereas, the third servant didn’t.

There are defining moments in our careers and lives. . .where we are given, take or seize the opportunity to change our destiny.

I believe the first two servants were very happy to be given the opportunity to prove themselves to their Master. They seized the moment and the opportunity they had been given.

Galatians 6:10 in the New International Version says:

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Ephesians 5:15-16 in the New International Version says:

“Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Colossians 4:5-6 in the New International Version says:

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”

As unbelievable as it may sound, there are some people who sleep away their God-given opportunities in a bed or a cubicle.

Proverbs 10:5 in The Living Bible says:

“A wise youth makes hay while the sun shines, but what a shame to see a lad who sleeps away his hour of opportunity.”

A little different take on Ephesians 5:15-17 is found in The Living Bible which says:

“So be careful how you act; these are difficult days. Don't be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good.”

The first two servants were determined to make their Master proud and exhibit a spirit of excellence in what they did.

God is looking for excellence in effort. Even the most seemingly meaningless task should be vigorously pursued.

Luke 16:10 in the New Living Translation says:

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”

Matthew 5:16 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.”

Luke 4:6 in the Amplified Bible says:

“And he said to Him, To You I will give all this power and authority and their glory (all their magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, and grace), for it has been turned over to me, and I give it to whomever I will.”

1 Corinthians 4:20 in the Amplified Bible says:

“For the kingdom of God consists of and is based on not talk but power (moral power and excellence of soul).”

Excellence is one of the character traits that as believers we’re to vigorously pursue.

Whether God has given you a talent or talents. . .it’s time for you to use what you’ve got. . .right where you’re at.

Ephesians 3:7 in the Message Bible says:

“This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message. It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details. When it came to presenting the Message to people who had no background in God's way, I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities.”

Your gifts, abilities and talent (money) are from God. . .what you do with it (them) is your gift to Him.

1 Corinthians 12:11 in the Message Bible says:

“All these [gifts, achievements, abilities] are inspired and brought to pass by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually [exactly] as He chooses.”

What are you doing with what you’ve got?

#7 How To Get The Promotion With Benefits.

All three servants were given a test. . .two of them passed and were blessed with increased benefits.

The third servant failed the test and literally went to hell for it. Not trying to offend your sensitivities . . .but that’s exactly where he ended up in the scripture.

Someone once defined hell as the day the person you became meets the person you could have become.

Sadly, like the third servant there are way too many believers who are placing limitations in their lives.

I’ve often said the only limitations you face in life are those that are self-inflicted, self-induced, self-maintaining, self-sustaining and, of course, self-defeating.

Mark 9:23 in the God’s Word Translation:

“Jesus said to him, “As far as possibilities go, everything is possible for the person who believes.”

This scripture just ignites my faith and stirs by spirit to new levels of expectation. . “. . .everything is possible for the person [that’s me!; that’s you!] who believes.”

There is no limitation to our manifestation. The Message Bible translation of Mark 9:23 says:

“Jesus said, "If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen."